The new building鈥檚 brick fa莽ade matches the diverse masonry palette found in the campus鈥� existing historical buildings. | Photo Credit (all): Albert Verecka
By Tom Rogers and Jabin Pu
Nestled in a 1.7-acre mid-block site between Joralemon and Livingston streets in Brooklyn Heights鈥� Historic District, The Packer Collegiate Institute is an independent K-12 private school in Brooklyn, N.Y., that has served students since 1845. 听
Packer鈥檚听diverse community of learners benefits听from transformative learning experiences that foster intellectual development and social-emotional growth.听To be able to best provide an enhanced learning environment, operational efficiency, and听enriched programming for staff and a growing student body,听Packer embarked on a 25,000-square-foot, four-story听expansion听that would add听classrooms and breakout spaces for grades听1-4, as well as administrative offices.听The project听is听unique in that it听is听the first听K-12 building听in New York City to use mass timber construction materials.听
A challenge for many urban schools is availability of space. As the demand for schools to expand in New York City increases, educational institutions that are looking to upgrade facilities and increase their footprints are often faced with difficult realities 鈥� zoning laws may prevent or limit upward expansion, or space might not be available for purchase or renovation directly adjacent to existing school buildings. This can lead to disjointed layouts and disruptive paths.听听
The design team, led by architecture firm WXY, found a solution in the reimagination of an existing space: Garden House 鈥� a four-story, 8,200-square-foot landmarked townhouse situated on the campus鈥� south edge that had served various purposes over the years 鈥� and a large, existing courtyard and play area that had not been renovated for a number of years. A full renovation of the townhouse would serve as a connection to a new, 17,250-square-foot, four-story addition to Garden House. This solution also created a seamless and climate-controlled pathway from one end of the Packer campus to the other.听
The project challenges the status quo when it comes to design. The building鈥檚 most notable feature is its mass-timber construction. Its main structural system is comprised of cross-laminated (CLT) and glulam (glue-laminated) timber made from sustainably sourced wood 鈥� spruce, pine, and fir 鈥� sourced from northern Ontario. Wood environments offer a number of physiological benefits to occupants, such as a reduction in stress levels and an increase in focus.听听听听
Archstone Builders served as the project鈥檚 general contractor, working with WXY听Architecture + Urban Design, structural engineer听TYLin Group, and the rest of the team to deliver听the project in time for the 2025 academic year.听Creative design and construction and a deep understanding of local building laws and ordinances allow project teams to advise schools on the best next steps to create a unified campus.听听
Packer had previously carried out several improvement and expansion projects; prior to the Garden House expansion, the school was comprised of six interconnected buildings. Its location in a historic district makes renovations tricky 鈥� the project team needed to work closely with NYC鈥檚 Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure all materials were compliant with guidelines for the district.听听
Packer, like many educational institutions, wanted its new building to have certain sustainable elements to ensure the wellness of occupants and contribute to a responsible carbon footprint. The roof of the new four-story addition has two expansive green spaces that help reduce the听building鈥檚 stormwater听runoff and helps to enhance the energy efficiency of the envelope. Packer鈥檚 newest building fully听operates听on electricity to support a transition from reliance on fossil fuels.听听
The new building鈥檚 brick fa莽ade matches the diverse masonry palette found in the campus鈥� existing historical buildings. The bricks were made from 100% recycled clay content that was sourced from 30% post-consumer waste and 70% manufacturing waste. The exterior of the new building also features bird frit glazing,听which听offers natural daylight and direct views onto the new garden.听听
During construction 鈥� which started in summer 2023 鈥� the Packer school was fully in use by students and staff, which presented several challenges. The courtyard project鈥� designed by Starr Whitehouse 鈥� was carried out in several phases; the new basketball court was delivered as soon as possible so the students could have access to clear outdoor space. As certain portions of the exterior were completed and handed back over to the school, the team also had to reroute egress paths out of the existing buildings. 听
The construction of the new building in the existing courtyard led to several upgrades to Packer鈥檚 exterior space, which was fully demolished and redesigned to include a new playground, removal and relocation of existing trees, an extension of the existing patio entryway, new pavement, and new plantings.听听
The new courtyard uses permeable surfaces to ensure better water management.听Nearly 90 percent听of the site鈥檚 40 new trees, 179 shrubs, and more than 1,000 perennials and grasses are regionally native or climate resilient. These plantings complement the relocated mature trees and improve the听air听and water quality of the site.听听
The听current direction in educational facilities focuses听on engaging听and听active spaces that encourage听learning听both听through the听design and setting of a building. Packer鈥檚 new听building excels听on all fronts听while creating a unique learning space for years to come.鈥�听
Tom听Rogers is a听Project听Manager at Archstone Builders.听Tom has听a听Master鈥檚听Degree in Civil Engineering with Architecture听and听has more than听15 years听of experience in the education construction sector听
Jabin Pu is a project manager at Archstone Builders.听Jabin has a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Civil Engineering and is a certified NYS Engineer in Training with more than 5 years of experience in the education construction sector.听